CPA Salary Guide: What You’ll Earn at Each Career Stage from Entry-Level to Senior Roles

So, you’re thinking about becoming a CPA? Great idea. It’s one of those certifications that might not initially sound glamorous, but once you delve into it, you realise it may be the most exciting move for your accounting career. The US-based qualification can open many doors. Almost all MNCs and global financial firms hire certified professionals. You can land well-paying positions with some of the biggest players in the world. Think the Big Four, Amazon, Apple, Procter & Gamble, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup… the list goes on. These companies look for sharp financial minds who can keep things running smoothly and strategically. You know where this is going, right? When you work with the top guns, you get paid the big bucks. The average CPA salary is higher than non-certified professionals. As you build experience, that gap only widens further. CPA is a highly lucrative credential in India today, especially in metros and high-demand industries. Want to know more about the salary growth of a certified public accountant? Keep reading.

Also Read- Complete guide on CPA Certification Cost!

The CPA Salary Guide

CPA professionals are experts in most accounting areas, such as taxation, auditing, financial planning and strategy. The program doesn’t just teach you to crunch numbers, it also trains you to solve problems. You help companies stay on track and get financially secure. In turn, you get richly rewarded. Below is an overview of the average annual salaries you could earn during your career. The income figures vary depending on which city you work in, the company and your job profile.

Entry-Level CPA Salary (0 to 3 years)

A CPA gives you an edge, even at the start of your career. You land better jobs and start higher on the pay scale.

1. Junior Accountants

What do they do? These professionals handle basic accounting jobs such as financial statements, journal entries and bookkeeping.

Who do they work for? Hindustan Lever, ITC, Nestle India, PepsiCo India, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv.

How much do they make? Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 8.5 lakhs

2. Tax Associates

What do they do? Tax Associates help their supervisors prepare tax returns, research tax regulations and ensure clients comply with the latest tax laws.

Who do they work for? Tata Consultancy Services, Reliance, PwC, KPMG, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki

How much do they make? Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 7.5 lakhs

3. Audit Associates*

What do they do? As auditing professionals, you ensure the financial records are accurate and comply with all regulations. You can also help with risk assessments and internal controls.

Who do they work for? Deloitte, EY India, KPMG India, PwC, Grant Thornton, BDO India

How much do they make? Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 8 lakhs

(*Please note that only chartered accountants have signing authority in India. Other professional certification holders can be hired to conduct audits as part of a team but they don’t have signing authority.)

4. Financial Analysts

What do they do? Financial Analysts help with essential tasks such as creating financial models, forecasting, budgeting, and analysing company performance.

Who do they work for? Deloitte, EY India, KPMG India, PwC, Grant Thornton India, BDO India

How much do they make? Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 8.5 lakhs

Mid-level CPA salary (3 to 7 years)

Once you gain some experience, you also gain a substantial salary boost.

1. Senior Accountants

What do they do? The accountant prepares and analyses financial reports, ensures the company complies with accounting regulations and helps with auditing and budgeting.

Who do they work for? Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, KPMG, Deloitte, ITC, PepsiCo India

How much do they make? Rs 9 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs

2. Audit Managers

What do they do? The audit manager leads the internal or external audit teams. They also execute audits, identify risks and ensure compliance.

Who do they work for? ICICI Bank (internal audit), Grant Thornton, PwC India, BDO India

How much do they make? Rs 12 lakhs to Rs 20 lakhs

3. Tax Managers

What do they do? The professional oversees the tax audits and assessments while offering advice on tax planning and strategies.

Who do they work for? Tata Group, Reliance, PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG

How much do they make? Rs 14 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs

4. Finance Managers

What do they do? The finance manager is responsible for financial planning, analysis and reporting. They also play a key role in cost control and performance management.

Who do they work for? Amazon, Flipkart, HDFC Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services

How much do they make? Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 28 lakhs

Senior-Level CPA Salary (7 to 15 years)

You know you are playing in the big league when you have any of the following destinations. After years of dedication and building expertise, you reach a position where you can command a high salary package.

1. Senior Finance Managers

What do they do? As a leader in the company, you will be responsible for leading teams that work on budgeting, forecasting, cost control and financial planning.

Who do they work for? Aditya Birla Group, Capgemini, Reliance, Microsoft, Amazon

How much do they make? Rs 25 lakhs to Rs 50+ lakhs

2. Senior Audit Managers

What do they do? The senior audit manager oversees multiple audit teams and ensures high auditing quality, proper risk management and regular compliance with regulatory standards.

Who do they work for? KPMG, PwC India, Grant Thornton, BDO India, SBI, HDFC

How much do they make? Rs 22 lakhs to Rs 40+ lakhs

3. Financial Reporting Managers

What do they do? The professional handles audits, compliance, financial statements and financial reporting.

Who do they work for? Barclays, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Cognizant, Infosys, Wipro

How much do they make? Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 35+ lakhs

4. Tax Directors

What do they do? The tax director ensures complete compliance with all tax laws. The professional also implements tax strategies and manages tax litigation.

Who do they work for? Deloitte, PwC, EY, Shell, GE India, Flipkart

How much do they make? Rs 40 lakhs to Rs 70+ lakhs

5. Corporate Controllers

What do they do? All accounting functions, internal controls and financial reporting are in the hands of the Corporate Controller. This professional directly reports to the CFO.

Who do they work for? Google India, Amazon, Mahindra Group, Hindustan Unilever, Siemens, Oracle

How much do they make? Rs 35 lakhs to Rs 60+ lakhs

Also Read- CPA Jobs in India vs Abroad : Is the Demand Really Growing in 2025?

How to become a CPA professional

1. Eligibility requirements

The eligibility criteria can be very complex, so let’s break it down in simple terms.

For the exam:

• You need 120 to 150 semester hours (some states will allow you to take the exams with 120 credits).
• No work experience is required at this point.

For the CPA license:

• You need a total of 150 semester hours for full CPA licensure.
• Out of the 150 hours, the following are mandatory:
  • 24 to 30 credit hours in accounting, including subjects like financial accounting, taxation and auditing.
  • 24 credit hours in business-related subjects like business law, finance and economics.
• Most states will require work experience, either under a licensed CPA or verification from one that you fulfilled the conditions.

• It helps to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a similar field, followed by a bridge course or additional professional qualification (M.Com, MBA, CA, etc).

• Select the US state for your CPA application carefully. All states have different requirements. States such as Montana, Guam, Washington and Colorado have flexible rules that suit international students.

2. Course details

The CPA exam has 4 sections, as shown below.

Core sections:

AUD (Auditing and Attestation)

FAR (Financial Accounting and Reporting)

REG (Regulation)

Discipline sections (choose one):

BAR (Business Analysis and Reporting)

ISC (Information Systems and Controls)

TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning)

The exam for each section is 4.15 hours long and contains MCQs and task-based simulations.

3. Work experience

Most states require one to two years of relevant accounting experience. Some will ask you to work directly under a licensed CPA. Others will accept a verification from one that you have completed the work experience.

4. CPA license

Are you ready to collect your license? Here is the checklist of all the essentials you need.

• Complete 150 credit hours of relevant education.
• Clear all four CPA exam sections within 18 months.
• Fulfil the required work experience.
• Meet the ethics exam requirements (only applicable in specific states).
• Apply for your CPA license through the state board.
• Maintain your license by meeting the CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements, which varies from state to state.

Also Read- How to Become a US CPA in India?

Global CPA Salary Comparison

EXPERIENCE LEVEL	UAE	USA	Canada	Australia
Entry level	AED 120,000 to AED 180,000	$55,000 to $75,000	CAD 50,000 to CAD 65,000	AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000
Mid level	AED 180,000 to AED 300,000	$80,000 to $110,000	CAD 75,000 to CAD 95,000	AUD 80,000 to AUD 120,000
Senior level	AED 350,000 to AED 600,000+	$120,000 to $180,000+	CAD 110,000 to CAD 150,000+	AUD 100,000 to AUD 150,000+

Factors that affect a professional CPA’s salary

1. Size and type of company

If you work for the big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC), you earn higher starting salaries and are on the fast track to career growth. MNCs, Fortune 500 Companies, global banks and large Indian corporations will provide generous compensation due to their larger budgets. Startups, NGOs and SMEs will offer smaller salaries but you could earn performance-based incentives or stock options.

2. Industry

If you work in companies in the finance sector or banking, you stand to earn one of the highest-paying salaries due to the complex nature of the financial operations. Other fields like consulting and advisory, technology, manufacturing and retail also pay good salaries.

NGOs and government firms may not pay as much, but they will offer job security and a good work-life balance.

3. Location

If you work in bigger cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, you’ll earn a higher income than those in smaller cities or towns. If you move to the US or Canada, your salary will increase even more.

4. Experience level

If you are just starting in the industry, you will be on the lower end of the CPA salary spectrum. However, as you build experience and expertise, your company will reward you with a higher compensation.

5. Specialisation

Professionals in taxation, audit & assurance, and financial reporting can expect their CPA salaries to reflect their contribution to these fields.

Also Read- How to Get a Job in Big 4 Accounting Firms After CPA?

What makes Proschool’s CPA course stand out?

The US CPA is a tough nut to crack. The application process is lengthy, the syllabus is complex, and the exams are taxing. You are going to need all the help you can get. Proschool is the perfect learning partner to get you ready for the CPA certification. The staff offers a perfect mix of theory learning, practical application of concepts and comprehensive exam preparation. The program is designed to help students master industry knowledge and real-world skills. The curriculum is aligned with the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) guidelines and is updated on the latest CPA exam changes. Proschool ensures every student is on the fast track to great career growth and a high CPA salary.

About Proschool’s CPA course

• The teaching staff includes industry experts, so you receive exclusive tips from the pros.
• The professors offer one-on-one mentoring sessions, personalised support, revision classes and doubt-clearing sessions.
• Proschool’s CPA counsellors help students understand and fulfil the eligibility requirements.
• Bridge courses are also available to help you earn the relevant credits.
• Classes are online and offline and include blended learning.
• Students get access to Becker’s LMS platform, updated study materials, online lectures, practice tests, and mock exams to ensure they are well-prepared for the exam.
• Proschool offers placement assistance through its network with top companies and firms.

Conclusion

You have to work hard to get your CPA license. It is a lot of effort, but the rewards are worth it. Professionals get their pick of the top jobs with MNCs, global financial firms and large corporations. You also earn an attractive CPA salary, considerably higher than your uncertified peers. So what are you waiting for? Start your CPA journey today, and soon, you’ll be reaching for global opportunities, landing interviews with top firms and building a rock-solid career in finance and accounting.

Learn more about Proschool’s CPA course here.

FAQs

How long does it take to become a licensed CPA?

Honestly, it depends on your starting point. If you have the qualifications like a B.Com plus an M.Com or CA, you have the 150 credits needed to qualify for the CPA license. However, in some cases, candidates may need a year or two to take an additional course to make up the gap in semester hours.

After that, you need 6 to 12 months to prepare for the exams. The board gives you 18 months to take all papers after you complete the first exam. You also need 1 to 2 years of work experience. All in all, you need roughly 1.5 to 4 years to get your license.

What are the educational requirements to become a CPA?

While the board talks about 150 semester hours, they also specify that you need 24 to 30 credit hours in accounting and 24 credit hours in business-related subjects. This can be accomplished by getting your bachelor’s or master’s degree in commerce or applying for specific accounting courses. It is best to speak with a CPA counsellor to understand your educational requirements.

What is the highest CPA salary in India?

A partner at the Big 4 firms can receive an annual salary of over Rs one crore. CFOs, tax directors and corporate controllers can earn over 50 lakhs yearly.

How tough is it to clear the US CPA exam?

The average pass rate per section is around 50 to 55 per cent. So, it is difficult but not impossible. You need good time management, clear focus and an efficient study plan. It helps if you sign up with a coaching institution like Proschool as it will help you manage your time better.

Can I become a CPA if I don’t have an accounting degree?

If you don’t have an accounting or finance degree, you can make up for it by completing additional accounting courses. You could pursue an M.Com, MBA (Finance) or other specialised courses to make up the needed credit hours. Some US states are flexible with your overall qualifications as long as you have enough accounting coursework.

Do I need work experience to become a CPA?

Most US states have made work experience mandatory for the CPA certification. You need one to two years, but you can complete it before or after taking the exams. Remember to check if the state has a supervisor or verifier rule.